Christian Doidge

Career

Doidge started his career in the youth system at Southampton where he spent three years before he was released after the club thought he would not be tall enough as a centre forward. He then joined Bristol Rovers for two years, but failed to earn a youth scholarship and was released in 2008 at the age of fifteen.

He then gave up football to play basketball with his friends and played county level for Gwent ABC. Shortly after he represented Wales in the European Championship in Malta.

He then moved on to Welsh Football League Division Two side Cwmbran Celtic for the 2009–10 season, before signing for divisional rivals Croesyceiliog in 2010. In November 2011 he joined Welsh Football League First Division side Barry Town, going on to score sixteen goals in sixteen games in his maiden season for the club. In his second season for the club he netted ten times in fourteen appearances, including a hat-trick against Goytre United which propelled Barry to the top of the table. In November 2012, he hit the winner over Penrhyncoch which helped Town to their first Welsh Cup semi-final appearance in a decade.

In January 2013, he signed for Welsh Premier League side Carmarthen Town. In just his second game for the club he came on as a substitute to help Carmarthen win the Welsh League Cup, the sides first trophy in five years. During his time with Carmarthen, he scored nineteen goals in forty-three appearances. In April 2014, he joined Football League Two side Newport County on a week trial, however no move materialised.

In July 2014, he joined League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge on trial, scoring in pre-season friendlies against Tottenham Hotspur and Billericay Town. Dagenham then pulled out of a deal to sign Doidge after discovering they would have to pay a fee to Carmarthen, having believed the striker would be available on a free transfer. A deal was eventually agreed in August for an undisclosed fee, with Doidge signing a two-year contract, having also turned down an offer to sign for Conference Premier side and former club Bristol Rovers. Shortly after signing for the Daggers, he suffered an ankle injury during the warm-up against Hartlepool United, which kept him out of action for a month. In September 2014, he made his professional debut in a 1–1 draw with Cheltenham Town, replacing Jamie Cureton as a late substitute. His first professional goal came in a 3–1 defeat to Luton Town, scoring a consolation after coming on as a substitute. He struggled to retain a place in the first team and in January 2015 he was sent on loan to Conference Premier side Dartford on a one-month loan, to regain his fitness. He made his debut in the 6–1 away defeat to Dover Athletic. In his second season at Dagenham & Redbridge he managed to play a lot more games and ended the season top scorer.

In June 2016, Doidge left Dagenham & Redbridge after winning player of the year and supporters player of the year and signed a two-year contract with National League side Forest Green Rovers. His first goal for Forest Green came in a 4–1 away win over Maidstone United on 27 August 2016.

On 14 May 2017, he scored in a 3–1 win over Tranmere Rovers at Wembley Stadium in the 2016–17 National League play-off final to help Forest Green claim a place in the Football League for the first time in their history.

Personal life

Whilst playing semi-professional football for Carmarthen Town he worked for South Wales Police.

Doidge has also represented the Welsh national basketball side and has appeared in the European Championships.

Club

Honours

Carmarthen Town